The Beirut explosion could have been caused by a ‘rocket or bomb’, Lebanon’s president has admitted today.
The disaster, which which has killed at least 154 people and injured thousands, has triggered protests against elite corruption and incompetence.
Although President Michel Aoun said ‘the cause has not been determined yet, he added said there was also a ‘possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act’, MailOnline reports.
Authorities say they are investigating claims of negligence, and have arrested 16 port officials three days on from the explosion.
Early reports suggested fireworks stored near the warehouse or welders used to repair a broken gate might to be blame, but the United States says it has not ruled out the possibility of an attack.
Mr Aoun also said that Lebanon’s ‘paralysed’ political system should be reconsidered, after years of mismanagement and corruption have been widely blamed for the disaster. The country was on the brink of economic collapse even before the explosion.
Claims emerged today that the cargo of ammonium nitrate which exploded in Warehouse 12 might have been diverted to Beirut on purpose despite officially being destined for Mozambique.
And separately the son of an assassinated former Lebanese PM has pointed the finger at terrorist group Hezbollah.
Bahaa Hariri, whose father, Prime Minister Rafiq, was assassinated in 2005, said: ‘The question we have to ask is how come for six years this combustible material was allowed to remain in the middle of this city of two million people?
‘It is crystal clear Hezbollah are in charge of the Port and the Warehouse where the ammonium nitrate was stored.
‘Nothing goes in and out of the Port or the Airport does so with them knowing. Nothing.
‘Their decision to put it there in the middle of a city of two million people was an utter disaster. And now we have a destroyed city centre.’
Lebanese security forces faced off with dozens of anti-government demonstrators last night, while tear gas was fired to disperse scuffles that broke out in streets in central Beirut leading to parliament.
A crowd had earlier mobbed visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, demanding his help in overthrowing Lebanon’s reviled leaders, with many chanting for ‘revolution’ and to ‘bring down the regime’.
The feeling of resentment and anger towards the government is palpable in the words of those protesting, and the Arabic hashtag ‘Prepare the nooses’ trending on social media.
Mr Macron, who was mobbed by angry Lebanese people during the first visit by a foreign leader since the explosion, promised to mobilise aid to the former French protectorate.
‘If reforms are not carried out, Lebanon will continue to sink,’ Macron said after being met at the airport by Mr Aoun.
‘What is also needed here is political change. This explosion should be the start of a new era.’
He also promised that French aid would be given out with transparency and ‘will not go into the hands of corruption.’
In a powerful moment the French leader stopped and offered a hug to a distraught woman in the crowd who was heard shouting: ‘You are sitting with warlords. They have been manipulating us for the past year.’
Macron replied: ‘I’m not here to help them. I’m here to help you.’
Hours after Macron left Gemmayzeh, Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm tried to visit, only to be driven out by protesters.
In addition to the 154 deaths, the blast has injured more than 5,000 people, left 300,000 others homeless and sparked panic over wheat shortages.
Unicef said earlier today up to 80,000 children have been displaced after their homes were damaged.
Lebanon is already seeking $20 billion in funding from the IMF and now faces billions more in disaster costs, with losses from the explosion estimated to be between $10 billion and $15 billion.
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